The Detroit Lions’ playoff journey came to a crushing halt in the Divisional Round against the Washington Commanders. Yet, a recent revelation from the NFL has stirred up frustration among Lions fans, as it has been acknowledged that a missed penalty might have significantly influenced the outcome of the game and contributed to their defeat.
The Disputed Play In the game, with just over five minutes left in the first half, Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw an errant pass, which was intercepted by Washington safety Quan Martin. As Martin began to return the ball for a touchdown, Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu delivered a heavy hit to Goff’s head, taking him out of the play. Goff was later assessed for a concussion and missed the next series, though he cleared the protocol and returned to the field. However, the pivotal moment had already occurred. Despite the hit to Goff’s head, no penalty was called, and Martin’s interception return stood, putting the Lions behind 24-14 instead of retaining possession with a 15-yard penalty.
NFL Acknowledges Error The NFL has since admitted that the hit on Goff should have been penalized as roughing the passer. Luvu was later fined $16,883 for the violation, which was classified as a hit to the head/neck area. Had the penalty been correctly enforced, Martin’s touchdown would have been wiped off the board, and the Lions would have gained possession of the ball with improved field position.
Could It Have Changed The Game? While it’s impossible to definitively say, the missed penalty undoubtedly had an impact on the game’s direction. With the Lions already trailing 17-14 and struggling defensively, that moment appeared crucial. Had the penalty been called, Detroit would have kept the ball and possibly had an opportunity to reclaim the lead before halftime. Instead, they were forced to play catch-up and eventually lost 45-31. Although the defense’s struggles were a factor in the defeat, this missed call remains a painful point for Lions fans. The NFL’s acknowledgment of the mistake only fuels the feeling that the game could have turned out differently. With the season now over, the Lions must shift focus to the offseason, hoping to build on their performance and bounce back from the heartbreak.
